Zacks #1 Ranked Precious Metals Funds - Best of Funds
December 04 2013 - 1:04PM
Zacks
Precious metals have always been a solid investment choice,
especially in times of economic uncertainty. They also offer
superior protection against inflation, which cannot be said of
almost all other reasonably liquid assets. Consequently, they
outperform other sectors during a market downturn, as they have
demonstrated in the recent past. Since they hold well diversified
portfolios and are professionally managed, precious metals funds
offer the most stable option for investments in this sector.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated precious metals mutual
funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect
the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks
Rank and past performance of all precious metals funds, investors
can click here to see the complete list of funds.
Oppenheimer Gold & Special Minerals A (OPGSX) seeks
capital growth. It invests primarily in those domestic and foreign
companies whose primary operations are related to metals and
minerals. A minimum of 25% of its assets are invested in mining
securities and metal investments. The precious metals fund has a
five year annualized return of 5.10%.
The precious metals have an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a
category average of 1.42%.
American Century Global Gold (BGEIX) invests in
securities of those global companies whose primary operations are
related to gold. Investments are made with the purpose of attaining
growth in capital and dividends by investing in companies which are
involved in processing, mining, fabricating and distributing gold.
The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return of
-0.19%.
The fund manager is William Martin and has managed this precious
metals mutual fund since 1992.
Fidelity Select Gold (FSAGX) seeks capital growth. Not
more than 25% of its assets are invested in gold and precious
metals. Companies whose primary operations are related to gold and
few precious metals like silver, diamonds, platinum are considered
for investments. The precious metals fund has a five year
annualized return of -2.70%.
As of October 2013, this precious metals fund held 123 issues
with 9.68% of its total assets invested in Barrick Gold
Corporation.
US Global Investors Gold and Precious Metals (USERX)
invests a large share of its assets in equity and related
securities of those companies whose primary operations are related
to precious metals. The non-diversified precious metals mutual fund
has a five year annualized return of -2.04%.
The precious metals mutual fund has a minimum initial investment
of $5,000 and an expense ratio of 1.61% compared to a category
average of 1.40%.
Gabelli Gold AAA (GOLDX) seeks capital growth on a
long-term basis. A majority of assets are invested in equity of
those domestic and foreign companies whose primary operations are
related to gold and gold bullion. The fund focusses on investing in
undervalued companies which have the potential to provide high
returns. The precious metals fund has a five year annualized return
of 0.83%.
The fund manager is Caesar M.P. Bryan and has managed this
precious metals mutual fund since 1994.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all precious
metals mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete
list of funds.
About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find
funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also
expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks
Mutual Fund Rank.
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